As Claire cleared up, the two men talked in Erik's room. It was a bit intimidating for the Persian but he was pretty sure in time it would change.

"I'll get straight to the point, Erik. What I wish to speak to you about is Claire I've…" Erik stepped forward threateningly and his eyes narrowed, but the Persian raised his hand, "I know, she is YOUR wife and I will admit that I came here to check on her. Although I'm quite sure that she can take care of herself…she has that aura about her." Erik nodded in agreement to the last statement but he still stared at the Persian almost daring him to proceed and cross the invisible line of discretion. "Erik…well…I was just thinking that I noticed that she is a bit taller than Christine was and a bit well slender in areas where Christine was not and lar…" He stopped when he saw the dangerous gleam in Erik's golden eyes. "What I'm trying to say is…does she have anything else to wear?"

An awkward silence followed, as Erik realized he had completely forgotten about that. She hadn't said anything about it. After a moments thought Erik grew angered suddenly that the Persian, no less, had wondered…no cared enough to think of his own wife's needs.

" How dare you insult me in such a matter, Daroga! If it weren't for my wife's displeasure in finding out that I had killed her newly found friend I would kill you right now! You NITWIT!" Even though Erik wore a mask the skin around it flared up with a fiery red angry blush. "And if you think that…" A gentle knock at his door stopped him in midsentence.

Claire came in, she had heard Erik shouting all the way from the kitchen and despite the danger she thought it best to interrupt before Erik strangled the Persian.

"Now, Erik I'm sure he didn't mean it the way you took it." She lightly touched his arm. He looked down at her the anger gone but the guilt stayed. "Now, lets think. Perhaps since Perry suggested it I could go with him to one of the shops of your choice of course." She saw him about to argue but she held up her hand. "And then if it suits you my dear we'll have a picnic." She turned towards Perry. "Is there a nice park or place that we could have a picnic but still have some privacy."

"Yes I do believe I know of a place."

"Wonderful! Now Erik will meet us there with the lunch, agreed." The two men looked upon the young woman and both nodded their heads. "Alright then, I'll just go get changed and then we'll be on our way."

&

The main shopping area of Paris was alive with activity. Children ran across the plaza while there nanas chased after them. Young women gazed longingly through windows admiring golden ball gowns woven with pearls.



As Perry escorted Claire down the lane one might think that she was either oblivious to the incredulous stares she was receiving or ignoring them. For it wasn't every day that a Parisian would see an older Persian gentleman escorting a young pixie-like woman down the street.

And then Claire saw the shop. It wasn't as big as the others but it was small and cozy, someplace that she most likely would have gone to in her time. She walked in and smiled at the colors surrounding her. Rich royal indigos, crimson reds, sun-bright golds and silver threads.

"My dear it almost looks like you've discovered Paradise."

"Oh, dear, don't exaggerate so much." Yet she still giggled.

"Madame, this young woman wishes to get a whole wardrobe down to the last stocking." The store keepers lit up with the idea of how much money she was going to retain.

"That's quite a lot, will you have enough."

"Her husband is quite wealthy, you can be assured that everything will be paid. He wants her to have the best."

"Of course."

The next hour was a flurry of activity. When Claire finally came out of the shop, her arms were full of bags, as well as Perry and there were still some dresses that they would pick up later.

"Well I suppose we can drop these off at my home, Claire and then we'll go meet up with Erik."

"Alright." Claire suddenly realized she terribly missed him. She hadn't realized she'd expressed that out loud until she heard the Persian respond back.

"I'm glad. He needs someone like you."

"I'm glad you think that, Perry. And I believe he deserves it as well."

"Oh, yes that I'll definitely agree with it. Whatever comes to him he'll deserve, alright." Perry threw back his head and laugh and then looked over at Claire who smiled and then started to laugh as well.

A/N: I'm sorry that I haven't updated in ages. School has been crazy and then this whole summer I have to work for my dad (I'm not getting paid). And then of course I'm working on my play too. So its insane. Oh, by the way Annie went terrifically.